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Boldon: Penguins ready to move on
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ROBERT K. YOSAY | THE VINDICATOR..Bob Boldon, a standout player at Louisville High and NAIA Walsh University in the mid-1990s, was hired to jump-start a Penguins program coming off the two worst seasons in school history.
By Greg Gulas
BOARDMAN
As the YSU women’s basketball team prepares for its 36th season opener at the University of Pittsburgh Friday morning, first-year head coach Bob Boldon notes that his team has made great strides but confesses they still remain a work in progress.
Speaking to the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly luncheon meeting at the Blue Wolf Banquet Center, Boldon also added that the recruiting mindset of his staff is to start at home before working their way out; not the other way around.
“The stakes have gone up over the years and it has become increasingly tough everywhere to keep players at home. While it is a tough assignment, we will try our very best to keep that local talent at home,” Boldon said.
With just one senior, three true juniors and two red-shirt juniors dotting the roster this season, Boldon’s offensive scheme has been a learning experience for all 13 roster members.
“The nature of our offense takes time to learn. We’re just teaching everyone right now and while they’re still figuring out what we are trying to teach them, we as a staff are trying to figure them out as well.
“The real challenge has been getting to know each other,” he added.
Boldon inherits a squad that has lost 31 straight games; 50 of their last 51 contests and after going winless (they were 0-30) last season, are just 3-57 the past two campaigns.
Those numbers don’t seem to discourage or dampen the enthusiasm he has for the upcoming season.
“Everyone has something to be frustrated about, and as coaches it remains our job to make supporters proud of us,” he said. “They deserve a product to watch; something worth their while when they come out to the game.
“The sense of urgency from both staff and team is to win right now,” he added.
While Pitt is a tall order for any new coach to begin a season, Boldon notes that the Horizon League will be equally as tough as the season progresses.
“I am familiar with some of the coaches in the conference and have seen a lot of the teams play over the past several year,” he said. “Other than Green Bay and Cleveland State, I doubt if anyone in the league had the year they had hoped for last season.
“This is a brand new year for everyone so we’ll just play basketball and hope that we can improve over the course of the season,” he noted.
Despite the team’s inexperience, Boldon added that his players have had to learn new habits, and in the process, unlearn old habits.
“Our style of play is different than last season and the fans will see a significant difference on the floor from past seasons,” he said. “We just need to get on the floor now and do it. Our players are versatile, have great attitudes and have been receptive to learning.
“As a staff, we don’t care who plays. We’re just excited about the entire roster and the way that they have all developed thus far,” he said.
Captains have not been named and Boldon hinted that they might forgo captains this season.
If the Penguins were to play Pitt today, then fans should expect to see the lone senior, Bojana “Boki” Dimitrov, juniors Kenya Middlebrooks and Tieara Jones and sophomores Brandi Brown and Maryum Jenkins.